Experts: Wagner Group Problems Should Concern African, Syrian Leaders
2023-07-03
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1The Wagner Group is a group of fighters supported by Russia.
2The group, however, is not officially part of Russia's military.
3The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a policy research group in Washington, says the Wagner Group operates in about 30 countries.
4Until recently, the group's leader was one of its founders, Russian Yevgeny Prigozhin.
5Prigozhin and his fighters in Russia were helping the Russian army fight in Ukraine.
6But late last week, the group appeared to turn against Russia.
7The Wagner Group attempted what is being called a mutiny against the Russian army and began moving forces towards Moscow.
8The move concerned Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin.
9However, within one day, Putin and Prigozhin announced a deal that permitted Prigozhin to leave peacefully for Belarus.
10With Prigozhin in another country, experts wanted to know if he or the Russian army would now control the Wagner Group.
11Reports by the Wall Street Journal newspaper said Russian leaders recently traveled to the countries where the Wagner Group's fighters work.
12They said the Russian government was in control of the Wagner Group's fighters.
13The group's fighters are currently known to be active in Syria, Mali and the Central African Republic (the CAF).
14The Associated Press (AP) reported that the Wagner Group works for political leaders in the African nations.
15Its fighters push back against groups that do not support those in power.
16The AP described the Wagner Group fighters as "brutal" and "ruthless."
17The group does this work in return for payment.
18Through its activities, the group gains the use of ports and natural resources in countries where it operates.
19Using these ports and resources, Russia can trade illegally in weapons and use the money for its war against Ukraine.
20In Syria, the group provides protection for leader Bashar al-Assad.
21The Wall Street Journal wrote that Russian diplomats recently went in person to speak with Al-Assad.
22They also went to Mali and spoke by telephone with leaders in the CAF.
23Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke to Russia's state-run television network.
24He said that hundreds of Wagner Group fighters would stay in the CAF to support President Faustin-Archange Touadera.
25Jordy Christopher is a special adviser to Touadera.
26He said there was never a concern about who controlled the Wagner Fighters in the CAF.
27He called Prigozhin "a pawn" and "only the tip of the iceberg," meaning there were always more important people in control of the Wagner fighters.
28However, the short mutiny may still concern some African leaders.
29Ryan Cummings is director of Signal Risk, a security advising company that covers Africa.
30He noted that the news about Prigozhin's actions and the sense that the Russian government might be vulnerable should be concerning to African leaders.
31"Developments in Russia will likely (make) African countries more cautious in their engagement with Russia," Cummings said.
32He said the mutiny shows the African leaders who depend on Wagner fighters that a change in Russian leadership "could be exploited" by their opponents.
33Groups who do not like the African leaders might see problems in Russia as a chance to push for power.
34I'm Dan Friedell.
1The Wagner Group is a group of fighters supported by Russia. The group, however, is not officially part of Russia's military. 2The Center for Strategic and International Studies, a policy research group in Washington, says the Wagner Group operates in about 30 countries. 3Until recently, the group's leader was one of its founders, Russian Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin and his fighters in Russia were helping the Russian army fight in Ukraine. 4But late last week, the group appeared to turn against Russia. 5The Wagner Group attempted what is being called a mutiny against the Russian army and began moving forces towards Moscow. 6The move concerned Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin. However, within one day, Putin and Prigozhin announced a deal that permitted Prigozhin to leave peacefully for Belarus. 7With Prigozhin in another country, experts wanted to know if he or the Russian army would now control the Wagner Group. 8Reports by the Wall Street Journal newspaper said Russian leaders recently traveled to the countries where the Wagner Group's fighters work. They said the Russian government was in control of the Wagner Group's fighters. 9The group's fighters are currently known to be active in Syria, Mali and the Central African Republic (the CAF). 10The Associated Press (AP) reported that the Wagner Group works for political leaders in the African nations. Its fighters push back against groups that do not support those in power. The AP described the Wagner Group fighters as "brutal" and "ruthless." 11The group does this work in return for payment. Through its activities, the group gains the use of ports and natural resources in countries where it operates. Using these ports and resources, Russia can trade illegally in weapons and use the money for its war against Ukraine. 12In Syria, the group provides protection for leader Bashar al-Assad. The Wall Street Journal wrote that Russian diplomats recently went in person to speak with Al-Assad. They also went to Mali and spoke by telephone with leaders in the CAF. 13Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke to Russia's state-run television network. He said that hundreds of Wagner Group fighters would stay in the CAF to support President Faustin-Archange Touadera. 14Jordy Christopher is a special adviser to Touadera. He said there was never a concern about who controlled the Wagner Fighters in the CAF. 15He called Prigozhin "a pawn" and "only the tip of the iceberg," meaning there were always more important people in control of the Wagner fighters. However, the short mutiny may still concern some African leaders. 16Ryan Cummings is director of Signal Risk, a security advising company that covers Africa. He noted that the news about Prigozhin's actions and the sense that the Russian government might be vulnerable should be concerning to African leaders. 17"Developments in Russia will likely (make) African countries more cautious in their engagement with Russia," Cummings said. 18He said the mutiny shows the African leaders who depend on Wagner fighters that a change in Russian leadership "could be exploited" by their opponents. Groups who do not like the African leaders might see problems in Russia as a chance to push for power. 19I'm Dan Friedell. 20Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a story by The Associated Press. 21________________________________________________________________ 22Words in This Story 23mutiny -n. a military or armed fight against a state or army leader 24brutal - adj. harsh 25ruthless -adj. evil, mean or unstopping 26pawn -n. the least powerful piece on a chessboard 27tip of the iceberg -expression used to mean there is more to a story than one can easily see 28vulnerable -adj. open to injury 29cautious -adj. careful 30engagement -n. work between two people or entities, a plan between two groups 31_______________________________________________________________ 32We want to hear from you. Do you think the news about Russia and the Wagner Group will change the leadership in some of the countries mentioned in the story? 33Here is how our comment system works: 34Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.